Remote control of myosin and kinesin motors using light-activated gearshifting.

ABSTRACT: Cytoskeletal motors perform critical force generation and transport functions in eukaryotic cells. Engineered modifications of motor function provide direct tests of protein structure-function relationships and potential tools for controlling cellular processes or for harnessing molecular transport in artificial systems. Here, we report the design and characterization of a panel of cytoskeletal motors that reversibly change gears--speed up, slow down or switch directions--when exposed to blue light. Our genetically encoded structural designs incorporate a photoactive protein domain to enable light-dependent conformational changes in an engineered lever arm. Using in vitro motility assays, we demonstrate robust spatiotemporal control over motor function and characterize the kinetics of the

SUBMITTER: Nakamura M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4349207 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature